Terrazzo consists of chips of marble, granite, quartz, glass, shell, or other suitable materials. It uses either a cement or epoxy matrix as the binder. Metal strips divide sections, make color transitions, design decorative patterns or logos and allow for movement or crack mitigation.

One of the disadvantages of terrazzo is that the surface does not retain heat well during the winter months, making the floor feeling a tad cold. Unless you have a heat insulator beneath the terrazzo, this may cause discomfort to those who walk across the floor barefoot.

Terrazzo flooring is often more expensive than ceramic tiles, primarily due to its premium materials, installation complexity, and design versatility. The choice between terrazzo and ceramic tiles should be based on the homeowner's budget and design preferences as well as the specific needs of the project.

The size and installation date of the flooring are an indicator of the presence of terrazzo asbestos. You will find that tiles installed between 1920 and 1980 tend to have asbestos. More often than that, terrazzo tiles that are square or rectangular shaped have a tendency of developing asbestos.